Characteristics
The Birth of a New Reference
Audionet’s new DNP (Digital Network Preamplifier) offers a new standard in combining world class tone, dynamics and reference class sound staging with access to a multitude of digital formats, turning digital music data into a captivating listening experiences. The Audionet DNP is a high potential preamplifier that competes favorably with the world’s best, including our own, all analog Audionet PRE G2. The Audionet DNP is capable of handling both coarse and fine dynamic with outstanding musical exactness and finesse while paying special attention to imaging as well as room correction. In combination with Audionet’s new reference external power supply, the EPX, the DNP reaches new levels of performance, featuring the usual Audionet qualities of presenting music as realistic as possible and free from grain, distortion or coloration, while offering also rarely found level of convenience and customization in integrating signals from computers, servers, HDD, USB sticks and streaming from the internet.
The Audionet DNP is the first preamplifier which can be fully integrated into a network and controlled completely by Windows, Linux or Mac computers. Users worldwide noticed the outstanding ease of use, making programming the DNP a breeze. Our in-house developed software RCP (Audionet RCP – Audionet Remote Control Point) allows the user to organize complex functions and settings effortlessly through a GUI (graphic user interface).
Additionally intuitive and powerful apps are available, which interfaces with all tablet PCs and smart phones, including all members of the Android and iOS operating systems (
Audionet aMM – Audionet Music Manager for Android,
Audionet iMM – Audionet Music Manager for iOS). The RS-232 interface allows in addition for professional integration into home automation systems. At long last it can also be controlled in the classic way with the Audionet System Remote Control.
The Audionet DNP is the very first stereo preamplifier that is equipped with an ultra precise delay, bass, and equalization management, allowing for very nuanced balance adjustment while preserving the coherence of the music. The Audionet DNP allows near unlimited options to adjust the music reproduction, setting a new standard in high quality customizable music reproduction systems. To accomplish this, we have further enhanced our proven and acclaimed digital filter technology and integrated it into the DNP. A pair of subwoofers may be integrated, which are separately adjustable in all parameters. Room influences and tonal challenges and problems can be efficiently corrected. Speaker arrangements can be optimized for every possible listening situation. Joined with Audionet’s room analysis software, CARMA, which captures and analyzes the acoustical behavior and properties of the room, the Audionet DNP is now able to perform professional grade room compensation and correction for the passionate amateur and expert.
The Audionet DNP offers a wealth of features. It receives internet and FM radio as well as podcasts, streams music from TIDAL, Qobuz and Deezer, has a USB audio and a digital USB-A interface, can be upgraded with a high-class phono preamp, may be integrated into any home cinema due to its bypass mode and has an excellent onboard A/D converter which can be used for the high-class digitalisation of all analogue sound sources. The inputs can be named freely and different input levels matched. Connected via Audionet Link, other Audionet devices can also benefit from a remote turn-on. A trigger output can be used to control active speakers. And it has even an automatic mains phase recognition.
Maximal connectivity is provided by thirteen (13!) digital inputs, and five analogue inputs; digital ports include WLAN, LAN, USB Audio, and S/PDIF, electrical and optical. In analogue, the DNP features five stereo inputs, four coaxial, and one balanced. In total, the Audionet DNP is capable of powering up to two subwoofers and six power amplifiers.
Optionally, the DNP can be extended with our high-quality phono preamplifier board. Audionets DNP is compatible with the external precision mains adaptor EPX. Please note: the external precision mains adaptor EPS G2 is not suitable for the DNP, please use the EPX instead!
Construction
The DNP’s development and realization combines cutting edge circuit design with Audionet’s eighteen years of experience in digital and analogue technology. More than 5000 individual components ensure accurate signal processing. Isolated and autonomous power supplies for digital and analogue sections further reduce power source-related imperfections.
High-performance processors working in combination with Audionet’s proprietary software for digital signal processing manage the digital signal processing of the Audionet DNP.
Equalizer, Delay- and Bass-Management
The DNP’s double precision bass management uses 48-bit resolution at all sampling frequencies, enabling the most accurate reproduction of even the lowest frequencies. The bass manager offers freely selectable cutoff frequencies, filter Q factors, and subwoofer phases; thus enabling integration of up to two subwoofers into the network, and are configurable into multi-room outputs.
The digital parametric equalizer uses 5 Minimum Phase Equalizers (MPE), for main channel and subwoofer outputs. Each MPE is configurable in filter type, frequency, gain, and Q factor within an unusually wide adjustment range, allowing the effective optimization of all parameters and compensation of less than ideal room characteristics or acoustical problems. The delay manager allows for a range of up to 7 meters, automatically calculating delay times in relationship to the setup and speaker distances while allowing phase control of each subwoofer.
Signal Processing
In order to optimize the D/A conversion, Audionet’s engineers pursued the uncompromising reduction and elimination of jitter, resulting in a highly exact, musical and solid sound image, stage and depth. To this end, we have developed Audionet’s Intelligent Sampling Technology, which performs with stellar results the analogue signal recovery from the digital bit stream. Audio data is routed through a two-stage filtering and decoupling procedure.
First, the input data is filtered with Audionet’s proprietary software using a powerful signal processor and up sampled synchronously, through filters designed for optimal transient and frequency response. At the next stage, the optimized data is then resolved through an asynchronous up sampling procedure at 192kHz/24bit, allowing the complete isolation from any potential jitter originating from the input clock. The resulting audio data is then passed to two high-performance converters, which are clocked by dedicated ultra high precision quartz crystals and individually processed per channel into analogue signals. This method ensures that jitter faults are eliminated – completely lossless – in the analogue signal to the highest degree, resulting in unmatched clarity, room depth, and stage imaging. In addition, power flux interferences are avoided by powering the digital section of the Audionet DNP entirely separately from the analogue section.
Architecture
No compromise is made in craftsmanship of the analogue signal processing as well. Circuit construction has been designed for maximum performance using only the finest components. At each point, we use the highest quality parts the world has to offer, many of them custom made. For example, filter caps are designed to our specifications using Japanese silk dielectrics, custom mica caps, and selected high-current foil caps from Germany, manufactured for an ultra low loss angle. Internal wiring is done with top-grade silver/gold alloy, and the best available connection systems from our colleagues at WTB in Essen.
In order to meet our own standards of performance, operational amplifiers used in the Audionet DNP are manufactured in-house. Each contains more than 86 discrete components, for a unique gain-bandwidth product. The volume level is set by an electronically switched, real time linearized precision resistor network, for unmatched accuracy. To optimize the high frequency properties, the circuits have been miniaturized, and signal paths reduced to a minimum. The circuit layout eliminates sound marring components such as coils, chokes, and capacitors in the signal path.
The analogue section operates on a separate power supply with a 100VA toroidal mains transformer, and 62,000 µF of filtering capacitance, and dual stabilization provide d by discrete, instantaneous voltage regulators. In addition, local voltage at each op amp is filtered again with an extra total capacitance of 8,000 µF filtering capacitance. Noise, distortions, and crosstalk are a thing of the past, setting the stage for Audionet DNP’s to redefine today’s state of the art.The Audionet DNP defines today’s metrological state of the art. Noise, distortions and crosstalk have been reduced to a minimum to deliver a maximum of energy, dynamics and sonic purity.
Function
Network-compatible 2.2 channel stereo preamplifier.
Special Features
- Streaming client for internet radio playback and podcast playback (airable.Radio & airable.on-demand and vTuner Internet Radio Service), network devices (UPnP mediaserver) and music data from USB memory sticks
- Offers access to music online services TIDAL, Qobuz and Deezer in Hifi/HighRes quality: FLAC 44.1kHz/16bit up to 192kHz/24bit (depending on availability and account type of respective online service)
- Supported streaming client formats: WAV (up to 192kHz/24bit), FLAC (up to 192kHz/24bit), ALAC (up to 96kHz/24bit), AIFF (uncompressed, up to 192kHz/24bit), AAC, WMA, OGG-Vorbis
- USB 2.0 (USB-A) for external media control and USB Audio 2.0 (up to 192kHz/24bit)
- 2.0 to 2.2 stereo operation mode (2 analogue subwoofer outputs or usable as multiroom outputs)
- parametric equaliser and delay manager for all outputs
- double-precision bass manager with 48bit resolution and freely adjustable crossover frequencies and filter properties
- Audionet Intelligent Sampling Technology with asynchronous upsampling up to 192kHz/24bit
- Precise clock generator for the elimination of clock flank deviations (jitter)
- Sampling frequencies and resolution of the digital inputs: 32 kHz to 192kHz/24bit
- Audionet HighBit interface for all audio data including DVD-A and SACD
- FM radio receiver with RDS function
- Audionet ULA technology (Ultra Linear Amplifier)
- Fully DC-coupled, no capacitors in the signal path
- One 100 VA toroidal mains transformer for analogue signal processing
- 62.000 µF total filtering capacitance
- Separate power supplies for digital and analogue section
- Gold-doped, pure silver, solid core signal cabling
- Microprocessor with dedicated power supply controls and handles all functions
- Remote activation of other Audionet component via Audionet Link (optical fiber)
- Headphones output electronically switchable
- Automatic mains phase detection
- Audionet Metal Remote Control RC 2
Bass Manager
- Management of one (mixed-mono) or two subwoofer (mixed-mono or stereo)
- Data processing with 48bit resolution (double precision)
- Channels/channel-groups can selectively be driven with the full signal or across the digital frequency crossover with adjustable crossover frequencies and filter qualities.
- X-Bass: Subwoofer can be configured as additional active bass
- Filter quality adjustable from 0,3 to 2,00 in 12 logarithmic steps
- Crossover frequencies adjustable from 20 Hz to 303 Hz in 51 logarithmic steps
- Subwoofer phase switchable
Delay Manager
- Adjustment range: Distance Listening position <-> loudspeaker 0m to 7m
- Automatic calculation of the delays resulting from the distance settings
Equalizer
- 5 MPE (Minimum Phase Equalizer) for each main channel and Sub
- Adjustment range for each MPE: Filter type Peak-Filter, High-Shelve, Low-Shelve, high-order filter,low-order filter
- Frequency (f): 20 Hz to 20 kHz, 128 logarithmic steps
- Gain: -12 dB to +6 dB, 0,5 dB-steps
- Quality (Q): 0,3 bis 8,0, in 20 logarithmic steps
- Import of CARMA equalizer settings
Connectors
- WLan 802.11b/g/n – WEP, WPA, WPA2
- LAN/Ethernet (RJ 45)
- USB 2.0 for external media control
- RS232 (control input)
In- and Outputs
| Analogue audio inputs: |
4 pair RCA Line, gold plated, Teflon insulated
1 pair Neutrik XLR balanced, gold plated |
| Digital audio inputs: |
4 RCA, 75 Ohm, gold plated, Teflon insulated
4 optical (TosLink)
1 Neutrik XLR AES/EBU, 110 ohms, gold-plated, Teflon insulated
1 USB Audio type B |
| Audio outputs: |
2 pairs RCA, gold-plated, Teflon insulated
2 RCA sub out (multiroom), gold-plated, Teflon insulated
1 pair Neutrik XLR balanced, gold-plated
6.3 mm socket (headphones), electronically switchable |
| Additional connectors: |
1 USB 2.0
1 Ethernet (RJ 45)
WLAN antenna (SMA)
FM-antenna, 75 Ohm
RS232
Screw connector for turntable earth connection
Screw connector for additional earth connection, gold plated |
| Remote activation: |
2 Audionet Link OUT, optical (TosLink)
3,5mm-jack plug as trigger output with 12V-switching voltage |
| External power supply EPX: |
5-pin socket |
| Mains: |
IEC male power insert connector |
Technical Data
| Frequency response: |
0 – 1,000,000 Hz (-3 dB), DC-coupled
2 – 1,000,000 Hz (-3 dB), AC-coupled, DC servo 1st order |
| Slew Rate: |
10 V/µsec |
| Channel separation: |
between channels: >100 dB at 20 kHz
between inputs: >108 dB at 20 kHz |
| Input voltage: |
max. 5 Vrms |
| Input impedance: |
Line: 50 kOhm real
XLR: 7 kOhm real |
| Output voltage: |
Line: max. 6 Vrms
XLR: max. 12 Vrms
Headphones: max. 6 Vrms (max. gain 6 dB) |
| Output impedance: |
Line: 24 Ohm real
XLR: 48 Ohm real
Headphones: 24 Ohm real |
| Filtering capacity: |
62,000µF |
Analogue inputs
| THD+N: |
<- 108 dB from 20 Hz up to 20 kHz at Vin 3 Vrms |
| SNR: |
> 120 dB at 1kHz referred to Vin, max |
Digital inputs
| Sample frequency: |
32 up to 192 kHz |
| THD+N: |
Front: <-104 dB |
| Power consumption: |
< 1 W Stand-by, max. 150 W |
| Mains connection: |
220…240 V / 50…60 Hz or 100..120 V / 50..60 Hz |
| Dimensions: |
width 430 mm
height 110 mm
depth 360 mm |
| Weight: |
12 kg |
| Front panel: |
Brushed aluminium, black anodized, light grey printing
Brushed aluminium, silver anodized, black printing |
| Display: |
Red or blue |
| Cover: |
Aluminium, 6 mm, black anodised |
| Sides: |
Aluminium, 8 mm, black anodised |
| Chassis: |
Sheet steel, 2mm, black varnished |
Positive-Feedback.com
Marshall Nack from positive-feedback.com has written a stunning review on our preamplifier DNP and the power amplifiers AMP.
HiFi & Records Germany
Test of DNP + EPX in Hifi & Records: “The Twin-Turbo preamplifier”
Firmware
New: Online services update for DNx! Read more on how to upgrade and setup here…
New firmware updates for the Audonet DNP are provided by the Audionet Remote Control Point RCP Software (PC & Mac).
The latest version of the RCP must be installed on your computer in order to recieve the newest firmware update. When launching the RCP, it does search the newest firmware and starts the update process automatically (factory default setting). In case that you have deactivated the auto-update function of the RCP: please use the item ‘Check for Updates’ in the menu ‘Help’ to start the update process. We strongly recommend using a wired connection from the DNP to the network for the firmware update process.
Further information on the Audionet RCP and download…
The latest version of the Audionet Music Manager for Android aMM is available in the Google Play Store.
The latest version of the Audionet Music Manager for iOS iMM is available in the Apple App Store.
USB Audio
For using USB Audio, the required driver needs to be installed on your PC. For Apple computers using Mac OS X 10.6.4 and higher, a suitable driver is included within the operating system. To receive the driver for Windows based systems please contact us via service@audionet.de indicating the version of Windows you are using and your audionet machine serial number.
For installation notes and further information refer to the user’s manual section 5.3.2 USB Audio.
Clearly the work of
© Audionet GmbH